Animal Farm by George Orwell- page 19

However, these stories were never fully believed.

• However: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• these: plural of 'this', referring to the stories mentioned previously [ðiz]
• stories: narratives, either true or fictional, recounting events [ˈstɔriz]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating the state of the stories [wər]
• never: at no time in the past or future; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• fully: completely; entirely [ˈfʊli]
• believed: accepted as true or real [bɪˈlivd]

Rumours of a wonderful farm, where the human beings had been turned out and the animals managed their own affairs, continued to circulate in vague and distorted forms, and throughout that year a wave of rebelliousness ran through the countryside.

• Rumours: pieces of information or stories passed from person to person without proof of accuracy [ˈrumərz]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• a: indefinite article, referring to any farm [ə]
• wonderful: inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good [ˈwəndərfəl]
• farm: an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops or rearing animals [fɑrm]
• where: at or in which; used to introduce a clause giving further information about a place [wɛr]
• the: definite article, referring to specific human beings [ðə]
• human beings: people; members of the species Homo sapiens [ˈjumən biɪŋz]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state that existed before another past action [hæd bɪn]
• turned out: forced to leave a place or position [tərnd aʊt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the: definite article, referring to specific animals [ðə]
• animals: living creatures that are not plants or human beings [ˈænəməlz]
• managed: were in charge of; controlled [ˈmænɪʤd]
• their own: belonging to or done by themselves [ðɛr oʊn]
• affairs: matters; events; business [əˈfɛrz]
• continued: went on; persisted [kənˈtɪnjud]
• to: expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing [tɪ]
• circulate: pass or move around; spread [ˈsərkjəˌleɪt]
• in: expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]
• vague: of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning [veɪg]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• distorted: pulled or twisted out of shape; giving a misleading or false account or impression [dɪˈstɔrtɪd]
• forms: the visible shape or configuration of something [fɔrmz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• throughout: all the way through; during the whole of [θruaʊt]
• that: referring to a specific year previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• year: the period of time it takes the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun [jɪr]
• a: indefinite article, referring to any wave [ə]
• wave: a sudden occurrence of or increase in a phenomenon, feeling, or emotion [weɪv]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• rebelliousness: showing a desire to resist authority, control, or convention [rəˈbɛliəsnəs]
• ran: moved swiftly on foot [ræn]
• through: expressing movement or direction inside and through something [θru]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific countryside [ðə]
• countryside: the land and scenery of a rural area [ˈkəntriˌsaɪd]

Bulls which had always been tractable suddenly turned savage, sheep broke down hedges and devoured the clover, cows kicked the pail over, hunters refused their fences and shot their riders on to the other side.

• Bulls: adult male cattle [bʊlz]
• which: used to introduce a relative clause giving further information about bulls [wɪʧ]
• had: auxiliary verb used to form the past perfect tense [hæd]
• always: at all times; on all occasions [ˈɔlˌweɪz]
• been: past participle of 'to be' [bɪn]
• tractable: easy to control or influence [ˈtræktəbəl]
• suddenly: quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• turned: changed in condition or nature [tərnd]
• savage: fierce, violent, and uncontrolled [ˈsævɪʤ]
• sheep: a domesticated ruminant animal with a thick woolly coat [ʃip]
• broke down: destroyed or removed by force [broʊk daʊn]
• hedges: a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs [ˈhɛʤɪz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• devoured: ate hungrily or quickly [dɪˈvaʊərd]
• the: definite article, referring to specific clover [ðə]
• clover: a herbaceous plant of the pea family with dense globular flower heads [ˈkloʊvər]
• cows: adult female cattle [kaʊz]
• kicked: struck or propelled forcefully with the foot [kɪkt]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific pail [ðə]
• pail: a bucket [peɪl]
• over: expressing movement or extension above or beyond a point or limit [ˈoʊvər]
• hunters: people who hunt wild animals [ˈhəntərz]
• refused: showed unwillingness to do something [rɪfˈjuzd]
• their: belonging to or associated with the hunters [ðɛr]
• fences: barriers erected to mark boundaries or prevent passage [ˈfɛnsɪz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• shot: injured or killed by a bullet or arrow [ʃɑt]
• their: belonging to or associated with the hunters [ðɛr]
• riders: people who ride horses [ˈraɪdərz]
• on: expressing movement to or toward a particular location [ɔn]
• to: expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing [tɪ]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific side [ðə]
• other: used to refer to one of two things or people, the one not already mentioned [ˈəðər]
• side: a surface or aspect of something [saɪd]

Above all, the tune and even the words of Beasts of England were known everywhere.

• Above all: most importantly; more than anything else [əˈbəv ɔl]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific tune [ðə]
• tune: a sequence of musical notes forming a recognizable unit [tun]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• even: used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to specific words [ðə]
• words: units of language that have meaning and can be spoken or written [wərdz]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• Beasts of England: title of a song [bists əv ˈɪŋglənd]
• were: past tense of 'to be', indicating the state of the tune and words [wər]
• known: recognized, familiar, or understood [noʊn]
• everywhere: in or to all places [ˈɛvriˌwɛr]

It had spread with astonishing speed.

• It: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• had: auxiliary verb used to form the past perfect tense [hæd]
• spread: extended or distributed over a wide area [sprɛd]
• with: expressing accompaniment or association [wɪθ]
• astonishing: extremely surprising or impressive [əˈstɑnɪʃɪŋ]
• speed: the rate at which someone or something moves or operates [spid]

The human beings could not contain their rage when they heard this song, though they pretended to think it merely ridiculous.

• The: definite article, referring to specific human beings [ðə]
• human beings: people; members of the species Homo sapiens [ˈjumən biɪŋz]
• could: past tense of 'can', expressing ability or possibility [kʊd]
• not: used to express negation [nɑt]
• contain: keep within limits; restrain [kənˈteɪn]
• their: belonging to or associated with the human beings [ðɛr]
• rage: violent, uncontrollable anger [reɪʤ]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• they: referring to the human beings [ðeɪ]
• heard: perceived with the ear [hərd]
• this: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ðɪs]
• song: a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing [sɔŋ]
• though: despite the fact that; although [ðoʊ]
• they: referring to the human beings [ðeɪ]
• pretended: behaved so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not [priˈtɛndɪd]
• to: expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing [tɪ]
• think: have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]
• it: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• merely: simply; only [ˈmɪrli]
• ridiculous: deserving or inviting derision or mockery; absurd [rɪˈdɪkjələs]

They could not understand, they said, how even animals could bring themselves to sing such contemptible rubbish.

• They: referring to the human beings [ðeɪ]
• could: past tense of 'can', expressing ability or possibility [kʊd]
• not: used to express negation [nɑt]
• understand: perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker [ˌəndərˈstænd]
• they: referring to the human beings [ðeɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]
• how: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• even: used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]
• animals: living creatures that are not plants or human beings [ˈænəməlz]
• could: past tense of 'can', expressing ability or possibility [kʊd]
• bring themselves: force oneself to do something unpleasant or difficult [brɪŋ ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• to: expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing [tɪ]
• sing: make musical sounds with the voice [sɪŋ]
• such: of the type previously mentioned [səʧ]
• contemptible: deserving contempt; despicable [kənˈtɛmptəbəl]
• rubbish: worthless or nonsensical material; nonsense [ˈrəbɪʃ]

Any animal caught singing it was given a flogging on the spot.

• Any: one or some or every of a number of things [ˈɛni]
• animal: living creatures that are not plants or human beings [ˈænəməl]
• caught: having been apprehended or detected in the act of doing something [kɔt]
• singing: the action of making musical sounds with the voice [ˈsɪŋɪŋ]
• it: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating the state of the animal [wɑz]
• given: freely transferred to someone [ˈgɪvɪn]
• a: indefinite article, referring to any flogging [ə]
• flogging: beating (someone) with a whip or stick as a punishment [ˈflɑgɪŋ]
• on: expressing movement to or toward a particular location [ɔn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific spot [ðə]
• spot: the exact place or position [spɑt]

And yet the song was irrepressible.

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• yet: but at the same time; but nevertheless [jɛt]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific song [ðə]
• song: a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing [sɔŋ]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating the state of the song [wɑz]
• irrepressible: not able to be controlled or restrained [ˌɪrəˈprɛsəbəl]

The blackbirds whistled it in the hedges, the pigeons cooed it in the elms, it got into the din of the smithies and the tune of the church bells.

• The: definite article, referring to specific blackbirds [ðə]
• blackbirds: a common Eurasian songbird [ˈblækbərdz]
• whistled: emitted a clear, high-pitched sound by forcing air through the teeth or pursed lips [ˈwɪsəld]
• it: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• in: expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to specific hedges [ðə]
• hedges: a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs [ˈhɛʤɪz]
• the: definite article, referring to specific pigeons [ðə]
• pigeons: a stout-bodied bird with short legs and a small head [ˈpɪʤənz]
• cooed: made a soft murmuring sound [cooed]
• it: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• in: expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to specific elms [ðə]
• elms: a tall deciduous tree with rough, serrated leaves [ɛlmz]
• it: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• got: came into possession of; received [gɑt]
• into: expressing movement or direction to the inside of something [ˈɪntu]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific din [ðə]
• din: a loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise [dɪn]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to specific smithies [ðə]
• smithies: a blacksmith's workshop [smithies]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific tune [ðə]
• tune: a sequence of musical notes forming a recognizable unit [tun]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to specific church bells [ðə]
• church bells: bells in a church tower, rung to announce services or events [ʧərʧ bɛlz]

And when the human beings listened to it, they secretly trembled, hearing in it a prophecy of their future doom.

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to specific human beings [ðə]
• human beings: people; members of the species Homo sapiens [ˈjumən biɪŋz]
• listened: gave attention to a sound [ˈlɪsənd]
• to: expressing motion or direction toward a point, person, place, or thing [tɪ]
• it: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• they: referring to the human beings [ðeɪ]
• secretly: in a way that is intended to avoid being noticed or known by other people [ˈsikrɪtli]
• trembled: shook involuntarily, typically as a result of anxiety, excitement, or frailty [ˈtrɛmbəld]
• hearing: perceiving with the ear [ˈhirɪŋ]
• in: expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]
• it: referring to the song 'Beasts of England' [ɪt]
• a: indefinite article, referring to any prophecy [ə]
• prophecy: a prediction [ˈprɑfəsi]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• their: belonging to or associated with the human beings [ðɛr]
• future: happening or operating at a later time [fˈjuʧər]
• doom: death, destruction, or some other terrible fate [dum]

Early in October, when the corn was cut and stacked and some of it was already threshed, a flight of pigeons came whirling through the air and alighted in the yard of Animal Farm in the wildest excitement.

• Early in October: refers to the beginning part of the month of October [ˈərli ɪn ɑkˈtoʊbər]
• when the corn was cut and stacked: describes the process of harvesting corn, where it is cut down and then arranged in stacks or piles [wɪn ðə kɔrn wɑz kət ənd stækt]
• and some of it was already threshed: means that a portion of the harvested corn has already undergone the process of separating the grains from the stalks and husks [ənd səm əv ɪt wɑz ɔˈrɛdi threshed]
• a flight of pigeons: a group of pigeons flying together [ə flaɪt əv ˈpɪʤənz]
• came whirling through the air: describes the pigeons moving rapidly and spinning as they fly [keɪm ˈwərlɪŋ θru ðə ɛr]
• and alighted: means to land or settle after a flight [ənd alighted]
• in the yard of Animal Farm: specifies the location where the pigeons landed, which is the yard of the farm named Animal Farm [ɪn ðə jɑrd əv ˈænəməl fɑrm]
• in the wildest excitement: describes the state of great agitation or enthusiasm [ɪn ðə ˈwaɪldɪst ɪkˈsaɪtmənt]

Jones and all his men, with half a dozen others from Foxwood and Pinchfield, had entered the fivebarred gate and were coming up the cart-track that led to the farm.

• Jones and all his men: refers to Mr. Jones, the former owner of the farm, and his workers [ʤoʊnz ənd ɔl hɪz mɛn]
• with half a dozen others: indicates that there are also six additional people involved [wɪθ hæf ə ˈdəzən ˈəðərz]
• from Foxwood and Pinchfield: specifies that these additional people are from the neighboring farms named Foxwood and Pinchfield [frəm ˈfɑksˌwʊd ənd pinchfield]
• had entered the fivebarred gate: means they passed through a gate with five horizontal bars [hæd ˈɛnərd ðə fivebarred geɪt]
• and were coming up the cart-track: indicates they are moving along a path used for carts [ənd wər ˈkəmɪŋ əp ðə cart-track]
• that led to the farm: specifies that the cart-track goes to the farm [ðət lɛd tɪ ðə fɑrm]

They were all carrying sticks, except Jones, who was marching ahead with a gun in his hands.

• They were all carrying sticks: describes that everyone was holding sticks [ðeɪ wər ɔl ˈkɛriɪŋ stɪks]
• except Jones: indicates that Jones is an exception to the previous statement [ɪkˈsɛpt ʤoʊnz]
• who was marching ahead: means Jones was walking in front [hu wɑz ˈmɑrʧɪŋ əˈhɛd]
• with a gun in his hands: specifies that Jones was holding a gun [wɪθ ə gən ɪn hɪz hænz]

Obviously they were going to attempt the recapture of the farm.

• Obviously: clearly; evidently [ˈɑbviəsli]
• they were going to attempt: they were planning to try [ðeɪ wər goʊɪŋ tɪ əˈtɛmpt]
• the recapture of the farm: taking back control of the farm [ðə riˈkæpʧər əv ðə fɑrm]

This had long been expected, and all preparations had been made.

• This: refers to a situation or event previously mentioned [ðɪs]
• had long been expected: something that people knew was going to happen for a long time [hæd lɔŋ bɪn ɪkˈspɛktɪd]
• and: conjunction used to connect two related clauses [ənd]
• all preparations: everything that was done to get ready for something [ɔl ˌprɛpərˈeɪʃənz]
• had been made: were completed or finished [hæd bɪn meɪd]

Snowball, who had studied an old book of Julius Caesar’s campaigns which he had found in the farmhouse, was in charge of the defensive operations.

• Snowball: a character's name [sˈnoʊˌbɔl]
• who: relative pronoun referring to Snowball [hu]
• had studied: past perfect tense of 'study', meaning he had learned about it before the current time [hæd ˈstədid]
• an old book: a book that is not new [ən oʊld bʊk]
• of Julius Caesar’s campaigns: referring to the military campaigns led by Julius Caesar [əv ˈʤuljəs ˈsizərz kæmˈpeɪnz]
• which: relative pronoun referring to the book [wɪʧ]
• he: referring to Snowball [hi]
• had found: past perfect tense of 'find', meaning he discovered it before the current time [hæd faʊnd]
• in the farmhouse: inside the main house on the farm [ɪn ðə ˈfɑrmˌhaʊs]
• was in charge of: had the responsibility for [wɑz ɪn ʧɑrʤ əv]
• the defensive operations: the actions taken to protect against an attack [ðə dɪˈfɛnsɪv ˌɑpərˈeɪʃənz]

He gave his orders quickly, and in a couple of minutes every animal was at his post.

• He: referring to Snowball [hi]
• gave: past tense of 'give', meaning he issued [geɪv]
• his orders: the instructions he was giving [hɪz ˈɔrdərz]
• quickly: done in a fast manner [kˈwɪkli]
• and: conjunction used to connect two related clauses [ənd]
• in a couple of minutes: within a short amount of time, approximately two minutes [ɪn ə ˈkəpəl əv ˈmɪnəts]
• every animal: all of the animals [ˈɛvəri ˈænəməl]
• was at his post: was in the designated location or position [wɑz æt hɪz poʊst]